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Tunbridge Wells remain bottom of Kent Cricket League Premier Division despite victory at champions Lordswood; Minster, St Lawrence & Highland Court, Bickley Park and Canterbury win

05:00, 03 June 2024

updated: 10:20, 03 June 2024

Early Kent League Premier Division basement boys Tunbridge Wells sprung a surprise to end reigning champions Lordswood’s perfect record on Saturday.

The hosts were all out for 165 in the 41st over despite opening batsmen Owen Palmer (43) and Linden Lockhart (41) putting on a 61-run stand.

Sandwich Town celebrate a wicket during their three-wicket Kent League Premier Division defeat at home to St Lawrence & Highland Court on Saturday. Picture: Gary Restall
Sandwich Town celebrate a wicket during their three-wicket Kent League Premier Division defeat at home to St Lawrence & Highland Court on Saturday. Picture: Gary Restall

Michael Waller and opening bowler Matthew Barker returned 3-22 and 3-41, respectively.

Tunbridge Wells raced across the line as they moved to 167-4 and their first league victory this summer thanks to Will Stickler (51), supported by Alex Williams (47 not out) and Chris Williams (46). Opening bowler Adeel Hussain (2-54) was Lordswood’s best bowler.

Minster are the new league leaders, beating second-bottom Hayes by 35 runs.

St Lawrence & Highland Court’s Jamie Hemphrey swings hard ahead of Sandwich Town wicketkeeper Ryan Davies on his way to a matchwinning 38 not out from 17 balls. Picture: Gary Restall
St Lawrence & Highland Court’s Jamie Hemphrey swings hard ahead of Sandwich Town wicketkeeper Ryan Davies on his way to a matchwinning 38 not out from 17 balls. Picture: Gary Restall

Half-centuries by Kai Appleby (63) and Aron Nijjar (51) steered them to 187 all out in the final over. Scott Gallagher was the pick of the home bowlers as he claimed 4-31 from seven overs.

Opening bowler James Speer (4-50) impressed as Hayes were skittled in the 41st over. Opening batsmen Gareth Severin top scored with 36, while Tom Gallagher (32 not out) was unbeaten at the end.

Second-placed St Lawrence & Highland Court moved level on points with Minster at the summit thanks to a three-wicket win at Sandwich Town.

Sandwich Town skipper Tom Chapman on his way to 56 off 53 balls. Picture: Gary Restall
Sandwich Town skipper Tom Chapman on his way to 56 off 53 balls. Picture: Gary Restall

The home team were all out for 173 in 30 overs after a delayed start due to earlier heavy rain, skipper Tom Chapman leading the way with 56 from 53 balls. Josh Julian sparkled as he returned 5-31 from six overs.

Australian overseas all-rounder Jason Sangha struck 77 from 58 balls - but the game appeared in the balance when the visitors slid from 111-1 to 131-7.

But Jamie Hemphrey’s unbeaten 38 in 17 balls, which included four maximums and two fours, got St Lawrence & Highland Court to victory.

Thomas Copestake bowling for St Lawrence & Highland Court. Picture: Gary Restall
Thomas Copestake bowling for St Lawrence & Highland Court. Picture: Gary Restall

Bickley Park inched to a one-wicket win at home against Bexley.

Skipper Matt Stiddard’s 50 guided the away side to 190-9 from their 50-over allocation, Ismail Baharami (4-52) best with the ball.

Home captain Elliot Hooper then top scored with 70 but Freddie Foster (3-33) and Jack Sinfield (3-35) left the hosts 173-9.

St Lawrence & Highland Court’s Australian overseas all-rounder Jason Sangha on his way to 77 off 58 balls. Picture: Gary Restall
St Lawrence & Highland Court’s Australian overseas all-rounder Jason Sangha on his way to 77 off 58 balls. Picture: Gary Restall

But a last-wicket partnership between Baharami (15 not out) and No.11 Jason Benn (9 not out) got them home with three balls to spare.

Canterbury earned a 74-run victory at home against Blackheath.

Italian international all-rounder Anthony Mosca’s 55, supported by Duncan Moore (35) and an unbeaten knock of 28 from 20 balls by returning captain Jarryd Taig, got Canterbury to 196-8 from 50 overs.

Matthew Golding (2-18), Kent’s Arafat Bhuiyan (2-42) and Riley Ayre (2-43) got among the wickets for the visitors.

Golding top scored with 31, only for Cameron Wilshaw’s 4-30 to ensure the away team were dismissed in the 43rd over.

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